Thanks to everyone for their responses on this one. Sorry about the misunderstanding on the term "sexy". It was, as Roger pointed out, only intended to convey a meaning of general desirability of an activity or product, not the more anatomical variety. I have worked on projects with people from the USA for many years now and its always disconverting when you find a term, or expression that you thought would have the same meaning on the other side of the "pond" causing confusion, or worse offence. I made the mistake of saying that a smoking colleague was "popping out for a fag" in front of some state-side visitors a while back. Aparently it means something else entirely in America. ( A "fag" is a slang English term for a cigarette ). On the musical question, you are right, there is so much musical talent and enthusiasm amongst yougsters, but its difficult to harness it. State schools are always short of cash and musical instruments are expensive. The brass band I play for has a junior section and we teach the basics of music for a very small fee to any youngster who wants to learn. The problem is that Brass Band music is very "un-cool" these days ( apologies for the slang, but I hope you know what I mean ) and we have great difficulty attracting and retaining the youngsters. Playing in a band also teaches some other good things like behaving yourself, playing in harmony and working with a team. The kids we have are great, but with a few exceptions the parents couldn't care less and treat us like a cheap baby-sitting service.

Any-way thats my Xmas rant over and done with.

May I wish you all out there a great Christmas and, in these current turbulent times, a peaceful New Year

Keith